By Paddy Kenny

5th May, 2022 | 12:00pm

Newcastle United will see 'new and improved' Sean Longstaff after critical update - pundit

Newcastle United could see a “new and improved” Sean Longstaff next season.

That’s according to former Leeds United stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after an update on the midfielder’s future.

On 30 April, The Times reported Newcastle have offered Longstaff, 24, a new four-year deal in a bid to stop him leaving for nothing this summer.

The midfielder has made 10 Premier League appearances under Howe but only four of those were starts.

Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock are all seemingly ahead of Longstaff in the pecking order.

Kenny is surprised to see Longstaff offered such a long deal.

“He has barely played under Howe,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.

“You look at the quality of that Newcastle midfield and you do wonder where he fits in.

“Maybe the plan is to give him a new deal so they can sell him in a few years, rather than let him leave for nothing this summer.

“But it’s not like they need the money they will get for him. Howe must think there is something there.

“He sees him every day in training and he would not keep him around if he didn’t think it was worth it.

“Maybe we will see a new and improved Longstaff next season.”

In July 2019, shortly after establishing himself as a key player under Rafael Benitez, Newcastle reportedly quoted Man United £50million for Longstaff.

He has made 92 total appearances for the senior Magpies side.

In other news, a finance guru has claimed Newcastle United drama has forced the Premier League to ‘sever ties’ with a top executive.